Early Wednesday morning, the SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team returned 11 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles to the warm Florida waters by Canaveral National Seashore.

The 11 Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles returned were part of the 72 sea turtles that were rescued last November during a mass cold stranding off the Massachusetts coast. They were transferred to SeaWorld Orlando from the New England Aquarium by the U.S. Coast Guard for rehabilitation and expert care.

Following today’s return, 50 of the 72 rescued turtles have been returned after completing rehabilitation under the expert care of SeaWorld Orlando’s skilled aquarium team and veterinarians. The SeaWorld Team is still caring for a remainder of the turtles as they regain their strength with the goal of returning them as soon as possible.

Ranging from 2.5 to 8 pounds at the time of rescue, the turtles have been thriving during their rehabilitation, gaining strength and weight. The 11 Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles returned today weighed between 5.5 and 11 pounds.

So far in 2015, SeaWorld Orlando has rescued 33 sea turtles and returned 56 to the ocean.

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